Designated Survivor (2016–2019): Season 2, Episode 5 - Suckers - full transcript

Previously on
"Designated Survivor"...

Did you and Damian
break into a storage unit?

Yeah.

I can't run interference for someone
who works for another government.

- Wells.
- No. I'm gonna walk you out.

I'm touched.

You find it plausible
that a contractor

would think that my mother
was the right person to bribe?

- We have circumstantial evidence.
- That my mother is a criminal?

Did you accept a bribe?

Yes.



It's a 30-year-old transgression
that your mom made

in an effort to save her husband.
People will understand that.

It's an FBI subpoena.
It's for your mother.

The scourge of gun violence
afflicts millions.

And nation-states that sit idly by
while their citizens traffic in this evil

aren't merely complicit.

They're agents,
merchants of death.

Hello?

Is someone there?

Up the wing. Up the wing.
He's offside! He's offside!

Watch it. Watch it.

Take the shot!

Over here! Over here!

Check! Check him!



- Oh!
- Oh!

Are you all right, sir?

That's the best you got, Senator?

I thought they bred hockey players
up there in Minnesota.

Center!

Right here.

All right, pass it.

My point is that this financial scam
didn't just hit the rich.

It wiped out hundreds of thousands
of state employee pensions.

$8 billion in savings,
gone, up in smoke.

You want me to support
your pension bailout bill.

But my party does not believe in bailouts.
We believe in individual responsibility.

Until it's time to bail out
Wall Street and the banks.

Then the Republicans are all for it.

You have a sponsor for the bill.
A Democratic sponsor.

We need bipartisan support
to get it across the finish line.

Come on, Alan.
That's why we're here.

Government exists to help people
who can't help themselves.

That is not government, sir.

- That i-is charity.
- Fine.

Then I'll make a stipulation that
the American people are suckers.

Come on, how long have we been
playing hockey together... three years?

I've never even asked you
to cross-check someone for me.

I understand. But, sir, this...
this is a big ask.

Then don't do it for me.
Do it for your own conscience.

Barton Cushing's swindle is gonna cost
the American people $31 billion.

We're facing a potential run
on the banks.

Markets are teetering on free-fall.

If we don't shore up
consumer confidence,

we might as well just jump
headfirst into the abyss.

- I'll run it up the flagpole.
- Thank you. I appreciate it.

- Yes, sir.
- Good game.

Good game, sir.

Sir, a member of Parliament
was just murdered in Rock Creek Park.

I have the British Prime Minister for you.

Madam Prime Minister...

Why was a Member of Parliament
jogging in Rock Creek Park this morning?

Charlotte Thorn was the British rep
at this week's G-20 conference.

They were touting her as a future P.M.

What do we know about this?

Well, right now, not much.

One to the head
while she was jogging.

D.C. Metro says
there's no witnesses.

- Did she have any enemies?
- Oh, plenty.

She was outspoken on everything,

from women's rights to illegal arms
dealing to corporate responsibility.

You name it.

Well, we're already fielding calls
about safety concerns

from jumpy foreign leaders
that are threatening

to pull out of the G-20 conference.

No. That can't happen.
Not when the Kirkman agenda

is to take a bigger role
on the international stage

with the IMF, the environment,
arms control. We need this.

- All right, I'll keep you posted.
- Thank you.

Well, 10 Downing's all over this.
They want their best guy on it.

I know.

You're speechless.

Just take a moment, you know,
gather your thoughts,

and when you work out
what you're gonna say...

- You again?
- Such a wordsmith.

So, it turns out you're only persona
non grata on this side of the pond

until they need your expertise.
Chuck over there has been sharing his.

Yeah.

Thorn's upcoming speech to the G-20
was leaked on the Internet.

Wow.

She really is going after
illegal arms dealers.

And their state sponsors.

- She was going to name names.
- You know, the G-20 summit

used to be about global economics.

Now everybody's talking about
gun violence in America.

Well, in England, we're talking about
our brightest candle

- being snuffed out in America.
- I just heard from D.C. Metro.

They found a 9 mm shell casing
at the scene.

All right, let's start
at the British Embassy.

- I got us an appointment there at noon.
- I got us in at 10:00.

Tally ho, Agent Wells.

President Dietrich, I assure you,

every attendee will have their own
Secret Service detail now,

and we've widened the presence of
the FBI and the police around the city.

Your delegate has nothing
to worry about.

Yes, sir, of course.

I understand.

Thank you. Goodbye.

I'm sorry about Charlotte Thorn.

I really liked her.

Me, too.

Have you made a decision
about a lawyer for your mother?

What about McKinley and Bradshaw?

- They're a great firm.
- Their white-collar practice

isn't as big as it used to be, but...
Davenport and Williams?

They got a full acquittal
for Senator Downing.

But that place
is a Republican stronghold.

Alex, any one of these firms
will do a great job.

But you know my recommendation.

- Kendra Daynes.
- Present company excluded,

she's the best lawyer I know.

With the added benefit
that she's easy to find.

The way she handled
Hannah's investigation,

it just... it rubbed me the wrong way.

Wasn't it you who once told me
that that's what

a good lawyer's supposed to do:
rub you the wrong way?

That's how you know
they're doing their job?

- Ah...
- Sir.

Victims' rights advocate
Alice Roland is here.

Thank you.

Alex, please. Just call her.

- Everybody, please sit.
- Mr. President.

Alice, it's nice to see you again.

We appreciate your meeting
with us again, sir.

- But the people that I represent...
- I know.

- They want action, not just words.
- What they want is their money back.

And as long as I'm their advocate,
I don't intend to rest until I get it.

And I share your desire,
which is why I've met with all of you

three times over the last four months.

Three times, because
we're not making any progress.

It might not seem like it to you,
but I promise you, we are making progress.

Not fast enough, sir.

The fat cats that got screwed
by Barton Cushing will survive.

But the beneficiaries of
the compromised state pension funds,

they need this money to live.

They're teachers, firefighters,
secretaries...

The backbone of America. And I am
trying to get relief for all of them.

Trying is not the same as getting.

I'm sorry, Mr. President.

These people don't want to work
until they're 75.

They want to be able
to take a vacation,

pay for their healthcare,
enjoy their golden years.

I know you're frustrated. I am, too.

But I need you to trust me.

And we are closer than you think.

So Halloween's just around the corner.

- You know what I don't like?
- Candy?

Tricks. I do like treats, though.

And a great treat
would be confirmation

of the President's slate
of judicial nominees.

I laid the groundwork
for your meeting

with Senator Krantz
from the Judiciary Committee.

- She promised a rubber stamp.
- Good.

Hey, Halloween's coming up.

Did she give you
the whole trick or treat spiel?

Yes. She doesn't like tricks.

- No, she doesn't like candy.
- I like candy fine.

No. Only Necco Wafers.
The pink ones.

Okay, Willy Wonka, are you ready
for your auto exec meeting?

Yep. Ready to hawk the President's
Clean Air Initiative.

- Only one problem.
- What?

- I don't know what the hell I'm doing.
- You're a senior staffer

pitching in on the policy side because
we're short-handed. Suck it up.

More like I'm gonna blow.

Lyor, did you know that...

If you do the Halloween thing again,
I'll murder you with an axe.

- Bet I know what he's dressing as.
- Dead man walking, actually,

which is what we're all gonna be
in five minutes.

- Why?
- Carson Kramer.

We need to find the President.

Senator Rouse, I just want
to thank you forjoining us.

Of course.

Senator,
you've been highly critical

of what you term
"government handouts."

So, what about
the pension bailout bill?

Another handout.

- But the President's a big proponent.
- Yes.

And, um, to be frank,
I'm not quite sure why.

I met with him to discuss it, and...

he called the American people...
suckers.

Excuse me, Senator. He said what?

His exact words were,

"I'll make a stipulation

that the American people are suckers."

Wow. It looks like the President's
the one who may need a bailout.

Yes, Carson. I was pretty shocked
when I heard that myself.

That disloyal, treacherous, lying...

He wasn't lying.

Sir?

He betrayed my confidence.
He took me out of context.

- But he wasn't lying.
- It doesn't matter.

Sir, you have a very distinct brand.

You're Honest Tom.
Man of the people.

- If that's compromised...
- Lyor's right, Mr. President.

This goes to your core identity.
We can't spin this.

Exactly, 'cause it's a middle finger
aimed squarely at your base.

And I don't like to traffic
in overstatement, sir.

If this sticks, it's political Armageddon.

Mr. President, you have calls

from the Senate Minority
and Majority Leaders,

the House Speaker,
and the House Minority Leader.

The Four Horsemen of the apocalypse.

Put them through.

One at a time, please.

We are working with the British government
to investigate M.P. Thorn's murder.

And we'll have another update for you
as soon as one is warranted. Yes?

- What about Senator Rouse?
- I have no comment about Senator Rouse.

So you're not denying
the President said...

Once again, folks, the conversation

that the President had with Senator Rouse
was a private one.

You know I don't comment
on the President's private conversations.

Meaning you're not
issuing a denial.

How did you just misconstrue
everything I just said?

- How did I misconstrue it?
- You understand misconstruction, Natalie.

- I've read your pieces.
- Come on, Seth.

You got to give us something.

And if you're not commenting
on private conversations,

can you speak as to the follow-up
from Suckergate?

Don't call it a gate, Carla.
It's not a gate.

Look, the President's record speaks
for itself in terms of the esteem that

- he holds for the American people.
- Are you saying Senator Rouse is lying?

You can assure your constituents
that word does not reflect

how I feel about them, Mr. Speaker.
Of course. Thank you. Goodbye.

They're calling it
Suckergate, sir.

Suckergate.
There are no good gates.

Not Watergate, not Irangate, not...

I think we should just
go about our business.

All due respect, sir, we can't.
This will have a knock-on effect.

You need to issue a strong denial.

- I can't.
- Yes, sir. You can.

If the President says he didn't say
something, it was never said.

I'm not gonna start fighting distortions
with falsehoods.

Besides, you said I had a good reputation
because I was honest.

- Now you want me to start lying?
- Yes, to preserve that reputation.

- You heard what you just said, right?
- Sir, I see Lyor's point.

- Our options here are very limited.
- Well, I've got one.

I'll sit down with Senator Rouse.
He's a good and honorable man.

I consider him a friend.
We'll sort this thing out.

- I'll set it up.
- Thank you.

If you'd have told me
he was this honest,

- I never would have taken this job.
- You realize that's bananas, right?

I don't like scruples.
They're impractical.

His scruples are the reason
why everyone in this building

- would have run through a wall for him.
- Tell me that when our agenda's dead

because America thinks the President
is an elitist hypocrite.

Aaron says he'll have an update
on the Thorn investigation shortly.

And, per your request, I moved up
your meeting on judicial appointments

- with Senator Krantz.
- Good. We need a win.

- I want to talk to you about the lobby.
- Okay.

There are candies there. Hard candies.
Some might call them "suckers."

And, so, I wondered
if I should remove them.

- You're kidding, right?
- Right.

Remove them immediately.

I asked Ms. Thorn not to go out
without a security detail.

- But she wouldn't listen to me.
- Have there been threats?

All the time. As Embassy Security head,

I can't protect those who won't listen.

We read Ms. Thorn's speech.

It seems she was going after
arms dealers this time.

Yes, I wanted her to tone it
down. But she turned it up.

Ms. Lane, you were her aide
for six years.

Is there anyone in particular
she crossed swords with?

Darius Cray. A British importer-exporter.

Well, that's a cover for arms dealing.

He supplies half the African conflicts.
He's on most of Europe's no-fly lists.

But he's running amok in America.

I didn't see his name
in the speech.

That's because
he called me a few days ago.

Warned me that Charlotte
had better not identify him.

His was the one name
I convinced her to pull out.

I'm betting he thought
she was going to put it back in.

He sounds like a good place to start.
Where is he?

In town, thankfully enough.
At the Gallagher.

But we've already reached out.
He's not answering questions.

Well, people like that, you just need
to know how to ask.

Excuse me. I didn't order this.

Actually, we're here to talk
about what you ordered.

We need to ask you a few questions
about Charlotte Thorn, Mr. Cray.

I am eating lunch
with my husband.

Catherine, I'll see you
back in the room.

I never met Charlotte Thorn.

Acquainted only
by reputation then?

Because she sure had one
for getting under your skin.

Yes, slander was a speciality of hers.
I didn't appreciate it.

What are you doing in town, sir?

G-20 conference.
A good place to ply my trade.

Legal trade.

- Not according to Ms. Thorn.
- Ergo the slander.

- Did you threaten her?
- Only with lawsuits.

I have a $100-million
legitimate munitions business.

I pay taxes.
I abide by all the applicable laws.

Yet some people insist
on turning me into this bogeyman.

Well, here's the thing. We're not
D.C. Metro and we're not State.

And you can't brush us off
with some canned statement.

Tell us where you were at 6:00
this morning, we'll leave you alone.

No, you'll leave me alone now.

I have the best lawyers
in the city on a retainer.

Ambush me again,

and I'll sue you for harassment.

Think we flushed him out?

Well, I guess we'll find out
soon enough.

14 long-standing vacancies
on the federal appellate bench,

it's a national embarrassment.

Addressing that is
an administration priority.

Our slate of candidates is moderate,

specifically chosen to achieve
broad bipartisan support.

We're reaching across party lines.

- We wish we could reach back.
- Why can't you?

When we had preliminary
discussions about judges,

the President was
in a very different position.

His centrist politics
were gathering steam.

We thought he was a man
who should be listened to.

Well, he is. He's the President.

- Of a country of suckers.
- Really, Senator Krantz...

I know how that remark
played out in my state.

Not as bad as my following his lead
now will play.

Senator, put politics aside for a second.
You're an attorney.

You know every name on our list
is eminently qualified.

Yes. But so are these.

None of these people have
President Kirkman's endorsement.

Exactly. So none of them are toxic.

Let me know what you think.

I think I hate lawyers.

I think my mother's subpoena
is prosecutorial bad face.

How do you figure, ma'am?

There's no evidence of
any contemporary wrongdoing.

And this attempt to tie her
into some conspiracy involving bribery

in Eric Little's recent d...
I mean, it's ridiculous.

Agreed. But you need
to keep emotion out of it.

- We're talking about my mother...
- I understand.

But John Foerstel
is a former U.S. Attorney.

He will use your emotion against you.

As proof that we're trying
to hide something.

Yes.

Which is why I'd like to be clinical.

Sticking to the four corners
of the document

is our best hope
of quashing the subpoena.

I need to know
my family is protected.

And I just haven't seen
enough evidence from you

that you really understand that.

I do, ma'am.

And I've represented 11 senators

who have been targets
of a criminal investigation.

Not a single one was indicted.

I'm experienced.

And I'm good.

What do you need from me?

Just your trust.

Let me do what I do.

And I'll keep you posted.

- Alan.
- Mr. President.

I was just explaining to Lyor and Emily
how we are friends.

And I have to be honest.

When among friends,
there is an expectation

- that what one says remains private.
- I'm sorry if I violated that expectation.

Well, you did. And I need you
to set the record straight.

Well, I'm sorry, sir. I didn't lie.

So I can't issue a retraction.

I'm not asking you to.

I just want you to provide
the full context of our discussion.

Which was me asking you
to sign on to a bill

that I thought would be helpful
to the average American.

An overture you portrayed

as the President's contempt
for average Americans.

Alan, I know you don't believe that,

but I can't have the American people
believing that, either.

I'm sorry, sir, I-I can't help you.

You may wish to reconsider
that position, Senator.

No, Ms. Rhodes, I don't think so.

You say you're not a politician,
then you coerce me into backing a bill...

Asking you for your support
is hardly coercion!

It is if the person asking
is the President, sir.

But more to the point, I have
an obligation I owe to my constituents.

Which should include an obligation

not to misrepresent
the President's words.

I stood up to those words.

My office received over 1,500 calls today
thanking me for that.

I cannot defend you, sir.

Senator, I'm not asking you for your
defense. I'm asking you for your honesty.

You're out there portraying me
as an enemy of the people.

That stops now!

With respect, sir, if you don't want
to be the people's enemy,

you need to start talking about them
as if they were your friends.

I'll see myself out.

Well, who would have thought it?

Homespun Tom Kirkman,
an elitist snob.

He didn'tjust put his foot
in his mouth on this one.

He put his whole leg.
Who's the sucker now, Mr. President?

And we're already seeing
the fallout from...

Yeah.

So, in the last eight hours,

we've lost congressional support
for our judicial slate.

Your pension-bailout bill;
that's gone belly up.

And the only topic of conversation
at the G-20 conference

- is the murder rate in America.
- What's the press coverage?

Uh, the Post and the Journal
have hit out at you over Suckergate.

The Times is running an op-ed

on the Administration's
failure to rein in arms dealers.

We're looking at a perfect storm, sir.
So, we have to take emergency action.

Finding Thorn's killer,
that's part of the solution.

The other part is cauterizing Suckergate.

Look, I understand we've taken
a hit for this thing...

No, no, sir. It's much more than that.
This thing, it's made you radioactive.

- And the fallout's just gonna get worse.
- Fine. What do you suggest?

Oppo research on Senator Rouse.

It's a silver bullet.
It'll stop the bleeding.

Lyor, bullets don't stop bleeding.
They start it.

We need to stabilize your base, sir.

If I go down this road,
there's no turning back.

- We will find another way.
- Mr. President...

We will find another way.

Thank you, sir.

Seth? I need a minute.

I have nothing else to say
about Suckergate, Tiffany.

Good. Because I wanted
to ask about a subpoena.

What subpoena?

One a source tells me was
issued to the White House

in connection with an investigation
into Icarus Astrotech.

- To whom at the White House?
- You tell me.

You're fishing.

- I'm going to publish.
- Publish what?

A story about a subpoena issued to
an unspecified person in this building?

So you're denying it then?

That someone in the White House
has been subpoenaed?

- Categorically.
- Seth, come on...

Go fish.

Darius Cray's boat is moored
at the Port of Baltimore.

Three days ago, he extended
his slip rental for two weeks.

And this afternoon,
right after we spoke to him,

he filed paperwork with the harbormaster
to leave tonight.

How strong a suspect is he?

A flight risk. No alibi.
Plenty of motive.

Plus we have video of his car
outside Charlotte Thorn's hotel

two nights before she was killed.

Which means he could have been
spoiling for a confrontation.

Is it enough circumstantial
evidence for a warrant?

If you know the right judge.
Give me an hour.

We've lost a lot of support with
this "Americans are suckers" comment.

Okay, hold on.

The word "suckers" has nothing to do
with the President's Clean Air Initiative.

Sure it does.

The President's plan requires us
to up emissions standards.

That's gonna cost us
hundreds of millions.

And we want something in return.

But, if the Administration's
been crippled, what can you do for us?

The federal tax incentives
the President's proposing are...

Seth, you're not listening.

- How's he gonna pass those now?
- With a little elbow grease.

Everybody, please sit.
I'm sorry for interrupting.

Seth, you're doing a great job
explaining the importance of this bill.

But I wanted to take a moment
and come down here

and thank you myself
for being here, for listening.

And I hope you will join me in making
a better future for our children.

Right.

They're not the friendliest group.

I have to say, I was hoping
for a little support from you.

My cars are electric.

I've delayed automating
my plants at your request.

I gave at the office.

I know. I know. And generously.

But you're an industry leader.
Your silence spoke volumes.

If you sensed a lack of enthusiasm
in there, you're right.

The people in that room want to know
they're backing a winner.

Come on. It was one word.

It's not about the word, sir.
It's about leadership.

If you can't lead the people,
you can't lead CEOs.

I was being sarcastic.

In the end,
perception is everything.

I've been fighting on behalf
of the American people

from the second I was sworn in.

Now they think
I'm fighting against them.

No, they don't, sir.

Everywhere we go,
you inspire people.

But the problem is...

It's all right, Mike.
Finish the sentence.

Sir, when someone takes a cheap shot,
you don't respond.

I don't like mudslinging.
It's not who I am.

Don't sling mud, sir. Sling hope.

See, that's the fight people want.

It's the hope you give them.

And sometimes it gets lost
under all these attacks.

You just might have a future
in politics, Mike.

No, sir.

I like my fights
where I can see them.

Right in front of me.

Smart.

Thank you.

They're unloading something.

Wells to base.

Suspect's leaving the scene.

We're heading over there now
to check out the boat.

It's Darius Cray.

You know, Cray's boat

had a $5 million cache
of black-market munitions.

And we think he was making
a back-room deal

with one of the G-20 delegates
to arm an insurgency.

His arrest was all over the wire, sir.

Mumbai is linking him
with arming Tamil separatists.

The French are blaming him
for selling C-4 to Basque insurgents.

And we're the ones who brought him
to justice. It's excellent.

That's burying the lead.
What's important here, right now,

is whether or not he was connected
to Thorn's murder.

The gun found on him
was the same model,

same caliber used
to kill Charlotte Thorn.

We're running ballistics.

- Is Cray talking?
- No, sir.

He's in recovery and lawyered up.

As soon as ballistics is back,
I'll let you know.

- Okay. We should issue a press release.
- Yeah. When ballistics is back.

It can focus on the arrest
of a notorious arms dealer.

Which would step on the arrest
of Charlotte Thorn's killer.

Anything to get us off Suckergate.
Seth, have you read the papers?

No, I get my news from carrier pigeon.

Okay, sir, there's obviously
spirited disagreement

about our next steps to take
to help regain our momentum.

Yes. I can see that.
And I have an idea.

I would like to do an OTR.

An "on the road"? I like the impulse, sir.
What I don't like is the risk.

Too many variables we can't control.
We should do a one-on-one.

With Carson Kramer. Same forum as when
Senator Rouse made his accusation.

Release the oppo on Rouse right
before you go on just to set the stage.

Lyor, I'm not interested
in the politics of personal destruction.

Respectfully, sir,
this is not something that...

Look, if the problem is
that I've lost the people,

I need to take my argument to the people.
Show them that I'm fighting their fight.

I want to do an OTR.

- Shoot for lunchtime.
- Yes, sir.

Okay, lunch.
That gives us three hours.

I want every detail stage-managed.
A diner. He'll order a hamburger.

I don't want anything foofy on the menu
like Dijon mustard or profiteroles.

- Diners don't have profiteroles.
- Yeah, exactly.

We should hand-pick the audience.

Yeah, we'll stock them
with salt-of-the-earth types.

Folks who've been victimized
by the pension fraud.

- Kirkman fans.
- I'll get started on the vetting.

Emily, you're logistics.
Seth, you do your thing with words.

Yeah, I got a word for you.

Good morning, Kendra.

Mrs. Kirkman, I wasn't expecting you.

I thought I should be here.

Of course. That's absolutely your right.

Uh, Cindy, make sure there's a chair
for Mrs. Kirkman in the gallery.

Oh, I'd like to second chair.

I'll see you inside.

Respectfully, ma'am,
I don't think that's a good idea.

Well, why not?

Because this proceeding is about
a subpoena issued to your mother.

Exactly.

Which is precisely why
I recommend against your involvement.

Because of your personal interest.

I appreciate your concern.

But I need you to appreciate mine.

I can't stand by and watch determinations
being made about my family

and not participate.

If anything went wrong,
I would never forgive myself.

I'm sure you understand.

- Yes, ma'am.
- Good.

Your Honor, this subpoena
is a classic fishing expedition.

The simple fact that
we're seeking documents

from the President's mother-in-law
does not make it a fishing expedition.

30 years of documents.
And in service of a wild theory

alleging a convoluted bribery scheme
that spans decades.

A theory for which
Mr. Foerstel has no evidence.

It's called discovery, Your Honor.

If we had the evidence,
we wouldn't need the subpoena.

Yes, but we still need probable cause
to prove a crime has been committed.

- A crime was committed.
- 30 years ago.

Mrs. Kirkman?
Are you also appearing as counsel?

- Yes, Your Honor.
- So noted on the record.

A crime was committed 30 years ago.
A crime which can no longer be charged.

The warrant alleges
an ongoing conspiracy...

I know what the warrant alleges.

Your Honor, I believe
my co-counsel's point...

That this is a malicious prosecution.

How is the mere issuance of a subpoena
a malicious prosecution?

The suggestion that
there was some nefarious

pay-for-play scandal
involving my mother.

That she could be implicated
in the murder of Eric Little,

a man she hasn't even seen for 30 years.

Your Honor, can we please
get a 10-minute recess

- so I can consult with my co-counsel?
- I think that would be an excellent idea.

Mrs. Kirkman, we agreed
to keep these arguments technical.

But not antiseptic.

You're not making
any headway in there.

The best basis for quashing the subpoena
is its overbreadth.

I totally disagree. The subpoena is based
on investigational subterfuge.

Illegal activity.

Which are arguments
I will now have to make

now that our procedural attack
is out the window.

- Well, then, make them.
- I will. But not with you as co-counsel.

Excuse me?

Ma'am, I was asked to do a job. And
I will do it to the best of my ability.

But I cannot do it
if you're compromising me.

Well...

- That was not my intent.
- But it's your effect.

If you want to argue the motion,
you're welcome to.

But if I'm arguing it, it needs to be
without your interference.

Oh, she's beautiful.

And you're right.
She looks a lot like my daughter.

Firefighters have our backs.
And it's time we have theirs.

Alex, you're wrong about the Redskins.
But you're right about everything else.

Does this mean you're gonna try my chili?

Not a chance.

- Hi.
- Aww.

Oh, she was talking to me
about tuition reform.

Don't worry, kiddo.
I'm gonna get to it. I promise.

I've never seen anyone
this good with crowd work.

It's because
it's not work for him.

It's who he is.

- Mr. President!
- Mr. President!

Thank you all for coming out.

- Mr. President!
- Thank you.

- Best burger in town.
- Mr. President.

Mr. President.

- Alice, how are you?
- Not good, sir.

I'm hearing that
the pension bailout bill is dead.

That's not true.

Well, the people I represent
want their futures back.

Can you promise me
that you can still help them?

Well, I-I can't promise...

Well, then you're right, Mr. President.
We are suckers...

...for trusting you.

Thank you...

It wasn't that bad.

No, she's right.
It was catastrophic.

Yeah.

So...

You're already lost cachet
with Congress.

Stonewalling your judicial nominees
was the canary in the coal mine.

Your whole legislative agenda's
at risk now.

- It was one word. I was being sarcastic.
- Not to put too fine a point on it,

but the rule is,
things last one news cycle or 10.

We kill this story today, sir,
or it kills us.

- Emily?
- The business community is jumping ship.

The media is turning on you.

If we wake up tomorrow
and Suckergate's the lead,

- the spiral may be irreversible.
- This is ridiculous.

I mean, there has to be a solution.

Well, there is, sir.

It's sitting right on that coffee table.

Call Carson Kramer.

Yes, sir.

Your Honor, the basis for this subpoena
is an illegal search.

Your Honor, the Fourth Amendment
has zero applicability to the request

for documents connected to a company

that Mrs. Booker admitted
she received a bribe from.

- There's probable cause...
- I'd like to hear Ms. Daynes out.

Mr. Foerstel is right.

There is probable cause
for this subpoena.

But it stems from Hannah Wells,

who removed a hospital record
from an active crime scene.

I don't see how that
invalidates the subpoena.

The hospital record was obtained
illegally and without a warrant.

Fruit of the poisonous tree?

- Yes, Your Honor.
- Hold on.

You're complaining about
the conduct of Agent Wells?

Agent Wells works
for the White House.

But Mrs. Booker doesn't.

Then why is the White House
counsel representing her?

It doesn't matter
who's representing her.

What matters is whether
her rights were violated.

I'm inclined to agree.

Wait, Judge, there are
exigent circumstances.

Agent Wells removed that document
because she was pursuing Patrick Lloyd.

And if you were subpoenaing
Patrick Lloyd, I might look the other way.

But you're not, and I won't.
Motion to quash granted.

Quick out,
they pick up the first down.

10 inside the 35.

A little bit of push...

No doubt.
There might have been

some offensive interference,
but it was not called.

Shipping out tonight.

Yeah?

Do you need a ride to the airport?

Sure.

You know, I can always call DHS
and have you deported again.

It's like Uber. With handcuffs.

The ongoing pleasures
of American hospitality.

Look, I just wanted to say...

I know you've had my back.

And, um, thanks.

You, too.

I'm kind of picky about
who I work with.

And I didn't hate you.

So, that's kind of a big deal for me.

Yeah?

Um, sure.

I think I can track Damian down.
Yeah.

Okay. See you soon.

There's been a development
in the Thorn case.

Aaron Shore needs to see us
right away.

We got ballistics back
for Darius Cray's gun.

- It didn't kill Charlotte Thorn.
- Darius is an arms dealer.

- He's got hundreds of guns.
- And there's something else.

There was activity in one
of Cray's accounts after he was shot.

A transfer of 100 million Euros
to a Swiss bank account.

And the only person with access
to that account was Catherine, his wife.

You saying we've been
chasing the wrong Cray?

Yeah, Catherine's been calling the shots.
He was just a front.

M-Maybe.

But we still don't know that Darius
didn't kill Charlotte Thorn.

Yeah, we do.

- What?
- Check this out.

This was taken yesterday morning.

Darius was moving guns
when Charlotte Thorn was killed.

Which means
I have to tell the President

that our investigation is ongoing.

And you two have to get back to work.

It's been a rough couple
of days, Mr. President.

Yes. Yes, it has.

But you won't hear me complain.
Not for a second.

Because I know that
there are people out there

who are really having
a rough time right now.

Now, I know
you want to address

Senator Rouse's, uh, incendiary claim

that you called
the American people suckers.

- The floor is yours, sir.
- Thank you.

I think that there is something

the American people should know
about Senator Rouse.

And that is...

Go there. Please go there.

- ...that he is telling the truth.
- Oh, my God.

- What is he doing?
- He took my words out of context,

but he is quoting me accurately.
- This is bad.

So you really think
the American people are suckers?

Yes. I guess so.

Because they believe
in the American dream.

This idea that our best tomorrows
are in front of us,

regardless of what today
might be saying.

And if that makes you a sucker,

then count me in.

Less bad.

The great American generations
that have come before us...

- Bring it home, sir. Bring it home.
- ...have always managed

to pull together when times were tough.

We cannot be the exception.
And that's why it is so important

that Congress gets behind
the pension bailout bill.

Too many Americans have had
their security and their dreams

- snatched away from them.
- Trending good.

It's our turn to fix that.

So, I am promising the American people
that I will not rest

until that security
and those dreams

have been restored.

I'm calling our pollsters.

Our boss may have just
pulled off the great escape.

Thank you for seeing me, sir.

You're gonna have
to make it quick, Senator.

I don't have a lot of time
for you right now.

I understand.
I just wanted to let you know

I've decided to support
your pension bailout bill.

- You have?
- Yes, sir.

Well, I hope nobody coerced you
into changing your mind.

I don't expect you to forgive
my political opportunism.

I have an explanation, not an excuse.

I'm listening.

Sonia has, um... ovarian cancer.

Oh, my God.

I am so sorry.

A-Alan, please... please sit.

Thank you, sir.

So it's two years in.

Been an up-and-down battle.
Stressful.

I took comfort elsewhere.

An affair.

I-I called it off,

and, um...

Sonia and I are in counseling.
We're trying to work it out,

but my marriage
is hanging on by a thread.

And the children...

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

We all have our cross to bear.

I... guess I...

needed a victory.

I was desperate,
and when I saw the opportunity, I...

Alan.

I'm sorry, Mr. President.

Thank you for coming to me
a-and explaining this.

Mr. President, Alice Roland is here.

Thank you, Lily.
I'm gonna need a moment.

I need you to look at this.

- Oh, my God.
- I didn't use it.

I couldn't.

But if I have it,

you need to take care of this now.

Man, our boss has more lives than a cat.

Good thing for us kittens.

So, since we're not
burning the midnight oil...

Oh, come by anytime.
I'll put out a bowl of milk.

- We can torture metaphors.
- Sounds good.

- Hey.
- What is it?

Is that like a mannequin challenge thing
or something?

Never mind.

Our latest, uh, poll numbers.

Hm.

Our boss did okay tonight, huh?

He did okay.

You think he's weak
for not using the oppo, right?

No. I think he's the President.

Thank you for coming.

I invited you back here

because I wanted to tell you myself
how much I respect you.

Well, that respect is mutual, sir.

I saw your interview on television.

I know what kind of man you are.

An honest man.

Thank you.

I appreciate that.

I do the best I can,
and I know you do, too.

Your work as a victims' advocate
is inspiring.

And... and I hope you don't mind,

but I wanted to find out
what motivated you.

And I was surprised to see that
you weren't one of the victims.

But instead, the wife
of one of the perpetrators.

Your late husband managed
one of the feeder funds

and funneled hundreds of millions
of dollars back to himself.

Yes.

So, you became an advocate
out of a sense of obligation...

...to those who paid such a high price
while your family prospered.

Yes.

The guilt must be overwhelming.

I would expect at times
you feel like it's hard to even go on.

I feel like that every time
I walk into this building.

And sit in that chair...

and have someone call me
"Mr. President"...

...simply because I survived,

because I was lucky.

You know what people
like you and I

are supposed to do
with that kind of luck?

No, sir.

Pay it forward.

I promise you...

In fact, I pledge to you...

that I will do everything in my power
to try and pay it forward.

And I know you will, too.

Yes.